Parents and Families

Campus Life

Students are looking forward to Thanksgiving break. For most, it's time to reconnect with families and friends. And for those who do not leave Ann Arbor during the holiday, there is at least the promise to enjoy some time to relax and refresh.

Eating a meal in the U-M residence halls looks very different from traditional cafeteria style settings, all thanks to the new Michigan Dining which now encompasses 7 residential dining halls, 28 retail stores, and on and off site catering.

We met many parents during Student Move In this fall who are themselves Michigan alumni. And others who were visiting Ann Arbor for the first time, but already decked out in Wolverine gear! Whether your family is new to campus, or a multi-generational Wolverine household, we think you'll enjoy this Alumni Association video. It was made by Michigan students for the whole Michigan family!

What experiences and perspectives do your students bring to our community? How will their backgrounds and opinions enrich our campus and our world? And how can you as a parent or family member support them in an exciting and challenging campus climate that can include difficult, even uncomfortable discourse?

Michigan Dining is well equipped to handle thousands of hungry students on their way to class, the gym, a student organization meeting and, yes those just rolling out of bed. With seven dining halls and dozens of cafes and shops around campus, you can rest assured that your student won't go hungry.

If your student experiences speech disfluency (or stuttering) or if you know of a student who does, please let them know that Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) has recently been given a financial gift to help. The purpose of this fund is to provide increased support and services for this community of students.

A growing number of Michigan students choose to pursue Spring Break activities that have a deep impact and enrich their learning. Student Life offers a variety of service, leadership, and recreational opportunities during Spring Break.

Blue Bucks are the campus currency at Michigan. With just a swipe of the Mcard - the essential campus ID - Blue Bucks are used for food, vending, laundry and more. They are easy to use and accepted for all sorts of purchases across campus...

Even if it's not officially marked, Move-In is one of the biggest days on the calendar, for your family, your students, and the staff of Student Life alike. If you've done it before, you've had a glimpse of just how much happens over a few days, as the streets of Ann Arbor fill with students, parents, and beanbag chairs, criss-crossing town. If this year will be your first, you're probably deep into planning and wondering if there are any tricks.